DIY Advent Calendar

Arts and crafts have become a huge part of the build up to Christmas and, as we are all well aware, Advent is getting closer by the day!  A handmade Advent Calendar is a fantastic gift for a special person: think boy or girlfriend, mum or granddad.  Or your best friend would be glad to get one, as well.  The beauty of it: people can look forward to receiving a little something every day in December, which serves as a constant reminder of your appreciation for this person.  Find out more here!

What you need:

–        1 t-shirt

–        pins, a needle, thread, scissors

–        1 clothes hanger

–        String/lace or gift ribbon

–        24 small gifts (chocolate, sweets, little poems, a candle, photos, etc.)

–        24 numbered cards (buy them, write and create them yourself, example: here)

How it goes:

1) Pick a slightly larger t-shirt such as a men’s t-shirt in XL.  This will afford you enough space for the press-ons.   Ideally, choose a Christmassy color such as red or green, and add a winter design.  A reindeer design would be a good choice, here.  Of course you can also use a plain t-shirt if you choose.  Use textile paint and small accessories (rivets, ribbons, iron-on foil) to adorn it to your preference.

2) Start by sewing the button of the t-shirt together.  Turn the t-shirt inside-out and use the needles to stitch up the front and backside of the t-shirt in a straight line.  Then sew up the t-shirt with needle and thread.  If you have a sewing machine, it will make this step even easier.

3) Now turn it inside-out again, it is time to put the cord or ribbon along with your 24 press-ons (wrapping them up individually makes it look nicer) and the numbered cards into place.  The number corresponds with the calendar day in December, so it’s up to you to decide what little gift will be opened on any given day.  The number cards should be attached to the upper end of the string, the gifts at the lower end.  Use different string lengths.

4) Put the t-shirt on a clothes hanger, then put the gifts through the t-shirt’s neck and let the numbers hang out over the t-shirt.  You can also use nice little wooden pegs to adjust the strings more nicely on the t-shirt.  Now all you need is a bit of ornamental decoration: use pine twigs, stars, glitter and whatever else you can think of to adorn the Tee Calendar.

Now you need to find a nice place for the pleasant surprise.  Maybe hide it in the lucky recipient’s dresser and get ready for the songs of praise!!

Please let us know how it worked for you and leave a comment below.  And if you feel like sharing other handy DIY ideas, we’d love to find out about them!!